Sept not low crowds anymore?

[jamnich314]

We are arriving tomorrow so, if I remember, I can report back on the crowd levels for the 19th-27th.

 

[NicholeB630]

We are arriving tomorrow so, if I remember, I can report back on the crowd levels for the 19th-27th.

Sounds great. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[anniemae]

We found it busy at end Aug/beg of Sept. It seemed there was always one crowded park, and we always picked it! I think word gets out and everyone listens to the crowd predictions and estimates and follows the same advice. Also, Disney does not want empty parks and they are masters of having promotions, parties, discounts etc. to fill up the parks and hotels during slower times. All that equals no slow times anymore. I still think the week after Labor Day is probably the slowest because all kids are back in school. There were tons of Canadians, people from the UK, and people from the northeast there during the week leading up to Labor day since they all started right after LD. Also, LD was very late this year.

 

[Fiddysmum]

We are here now. I planned my buns off even though low crowds were predicted and did my own tour plan using info from the helpful Dis folks. We followed my plan and hit every attraction with walk on the first 3 hours and then short waits for everything other than SDMT and A&E. We fast passed PP, SDMT and Splash. Then yesterday was busier because of EMH but we did all of tomorrow land walk on before our 10:40 BOG. Then we had FP for after lunch when it started to feel more crowded. Anyways, it's been amazing....

 

[NicholeB630]

We are here now. I planned my buns off even though low crowds were predicted and did my own tour plan using info from the helpful Dis folks. We followed my plan and hit every attraction with walk on the first 3 hours and then short waits for everything other than SDMT and A&E. We fast passed PP, SDMT and Splash. Then yesterday was busier because of EMH but we did all of tomorrow land walk on before our 10:40 BOG. Then we had FP for after lunch when it started to feel more crowded. Anyways, it's been amazing....

Great info and makes me feel better! We did the 8am RD in December and couldn't believe how many rides we did in the first few hours.

 

[AngiTN]

We're planning a trip next fall for MNSSHP, we've never been and would love to have that experience before our son starts Kindergarten. I'm wondering if the first of October would be better than September at this point.

In my opinion, no, first of Oct will not be better. Almost all Southern school systems have the first week in Oct off as their fall break. Every year more and more schools take the week off. Sept is much better for the crowd aspect.

 

[troyseyfert]

As someone who has gone in September for the last 8 years, here are my thoughts (and this might open up a whole new subject):

We went this year from the 5th-13th with a one and a half year old. Because we are familiar with the parks, we were able to get A LOT done.

My wife and I both said though that this year seemed more crowded. Disney continues to throw little weekend events here and there. For instance, Epcot was INSANE on Friday night, the 11th...a CM said there was a pin trading event that day and that brought in crowds. This was the first year they've done it I believe. This causes for MORE crowds. Plus, MK was going to be open until 7pm for Friday and Saturday because of night of joy so everyone would try to go to the other parks...I heard that Sunday the 13th was nuts (but was rainy) and that's because EVERYONE decided to go to MK since it was the first night for the weekend that it was NOT open til 7pm.

It seems that Disney continues to plan little extra events (marathons, pin trading events, Star Wars opening a shop at HS event) and that makes the parks more crowded because it draws in the FL residents and season pass holders.

All it will take (and this is where I'm sure people will agree or disagree) is a major hurricane to come across FL....in the last several years, there has not been a major hurricane that has hit FL. That makes people feel safer to travel/fly...but once a major hurricane hits, you can bet that attendance during that season will be down a little bit, which means Disney will pour on the promotions again.

Remember 9/11 and Katrina? People did not feel safe to travel due to those few years of security/uncertainty. Just my two cents.

 

[Dentam]

MK actually closed at 7pm on Friday and Saturday for Night of Joy.

 

[andiraye]

I like hearing everyones opinions. But still makes it really hard to decide when to go. I guess you just have to have a plan and hope for the best. We are early risers so we are always there at rope drop. We found the second week of December very manageable so I can't imagine Sept would be more crowded then that time of year? Im curious to see what sites predict for next year. I am a subscriber to touring plans but I am not sure if I know where you can see the actual day compared to what they predicted.

Sorry, my post was wrong -- they changed the website and I can't find the "How'd we do?" page anymore!

 

[jaysmom4285]

Sorry, my post was wrong -- they changed the website and I can't find the "How'd we do?" page anymore!

If you're a subscriber to the touring plans site, just go to the crowd calendar page. Right at the top, over the current day's prediction, is a summary of how they did the day before in terms of comparing predicted to actual wait times. On the left side of that page, you can choose "historical crowds," and choose any date to see their predictions and how they did. And if you subscribe to their blog on twitter, they do a weekly lookback at how they did, with explanations of why they think they were off by more than two levels, if they were. I have nothing against the other crowd prediction sites, as many people swear by them, and I'm sure they have valuable information. But touring plans is the only one I'm aware of that makes a prediction and then looks back to see how they did and lets everyone know why they think there were variances. The other sites just predict, but there's no way to know if they were on or off, because they don't use the measurable criteria that touring plans does.

 

[hdnwaters]

Here's my take on September and crowds. I just got back! (Sept 6 - 13) This was my second Sept. trip. On our first Sept. trip, there was a major hurricane in the Atlantic. The parks were very quiet. Our longest wait was 20 minutes! Last week....not the case! But compared to "peak times" I think we did okay......our wait times varied from 10 to 40 minutes. We were at WDW in Nov. '14. There was the veteran's day holiday, last week of F & W, and the Jersey week myth. We had FPs and got additional ones for the most of the majors. We rode 7DMT and TSMM after 9 at night with 40 min waits. We took advantage of the EMH night parks. It was pretty crowed. So IMHO....here is what I think:

If there is any sort of holiday during the week, the parks are crowded!

If the local schools are out, the parks are crowded.

From Friday thru Monday every week the parks are crowded!

I often wonder with everyone reading Touring plans & all the other crowd calendars.....if everyone follows the suggestions, does that not make the parks more crowded???? We hit Animal Kingdom on Friday, supposed to be the least crowded park and there were people everywhere!

I think next time, I may try January. I don't mind wearing a coat or light jacket compared to 93 degrees and a 105 heat index!

 

[godders]

I was at MK all day Sunday (from opening to close) and it was definitely busier than I would've expected but not horrible for me. The joys of being solo meant I could skip around alot of slow moving large groups and get in the attractions before them. Monday I was at MK for a pre-opening BOG brekkie and then hopped to HS and it was horrible! Star Tours had a 45 minute wait when I walked past so I lasted about 2 hours and then gave up.

I was back there yesterday and it was lovely. Nothing was too busy and I waited 15 minutes at the busiest time of the day. It did rain on and off most of the day so I think that helped. I just went over Epcot on the monorail about an hour ago and it looked empty. Probably only one whole section filled in the car park (they had split it between 2 and there was only one car to a spot where there was room for two.

 

[NicholeB630]

As someone who has gone in September for the last 8 years, here are my thoughts (and this might open up a whole new subject):

We went this year from the 5th-13th with a one and a half year old. Because we are familiar with the parks, we were able to get A LOT done.

My wife and I both said though that this year seemed more crowded. Disney continues to throw little weekend events here and there. For instance, Epcot was INSANE on Friday night, the 11th...a CM said there was a pin trading event that day and that brought in crowds. This was the first year they've done it I believe. This causes for MORE crowds. Plus, MK was going to be open until 7pm for Friday and Saturday because of night of joy so everyone would try to go to the other parks...I heard that Sunday the 13th was nuts (but was rainy) and that's because EVERYONE decided to go to MK since it was the first night for the weekend that it was NOT open til 7pm.

It seems that Disney continues to plan little extra events (marathons, pin trading events, Star Wars opening a shop at HS event) and that makes the parks more crowded because it draws in the FL residents and season pass holders.

All it will take (and this is where I'm sure people will agree or disagree) is a major hurricane to come across FL....in the last several years, there has not been a major hurricane that has hit FL. That makes people feel safer to travel/fly...but once a major hurricane hits, you can bet that attendance during that season will be down a little bit, which means Disney will pour on the promotions again.

Remember 9/11 and Katrina? People did not feel safe to travel due to those few years of security/uncertainty. Just my two cents.

You think its possible to really look at holidays and events ahead of time and figure out the best time to go? Like way in advance try to avoid anything special going on or holidays?

 

[NicholeB630]

If you're a subscriber to the touring plans site, just go to the crowd calendar page. Right at the top, over the current day's prediction, is a summary of how they did the day before in terms of comparing predicted to actual wait times. On the left side of that page, you can choose "historical crowds," and choose any date to see their predictions and how they did. And if you subscribe to their blog on twitter, they do a weekly lookback at how they did, with explanations of why they think they were off by more than two levels, if they were. I have nothing against the other crowd prediction sites, as many people swear by them, and I'm sure they have valuable information. But touring plans is the only one I'm aware of that makes a prediction and then looks back to see how they did and lets everyone know why they think there were variances. The other sites just predict, but there's no way to know if they were on or off, because they don't use the measurable criteria that touring plans does.

Ok I'll have to check that out and see what it says from the past week. Do you know of any bloggers or sites that reported the party from Tuesday? I know Kenny the Pirate did the Dessert party but what about the whole party all around.

 

[Dentam]

I think next time, I may try January. I don't mind wearing a coat or light jacket compared to 93 degrees and a 105 heat index!

We had the same thought when we went in January years ago - the parks were PACKED!

 

[NicholeB630]

We had the same thought when we went in January years ago - the parks were PACKED!

See we went in December and it was so cold the first day was nice but after that it was just chilly and the night of MVMCP it was really cold. I just would like for once to go when the weather is warm and use the pools but I def am not thrilled about going when it could be 98 and humidity of 100% but its our only option as I do not want to go in the spring months as they all seem to be so crowded because spring breaks are so spread out. So hoping its not awful and we get lucky with nice weather.

 

[Dentam]

See we went in December and it was so cold the first day was nice but after that it was just chilly and the night of MVMCP it was really cold. I just would like for once to go when the weather is warm and use the pools but I def am not thrilled about going when it could be 98 and humidity of 100% but its our only option as I do not want to go in the spring months as they all seem to be so crowded because spring breaks are so spread out. So hoping its not awful and we get lucky with nice weather.

I agree with you that the heat right now is tough to take! We got lucky on our trip last week since the first half of the week was mostly cloudy and we had a nice breeze often on those days. Then it got really hot - by Friday I would step outside and immediately felt like my forehead was frying - along with the rest of me!

I hope you have great weather and manageable crowds for your trip!

 

[Josh125]

We have been here all week and have been here the same week for the last four years. We hit the big attractions early in the morning then usually park hop and fast pass another few rides. It has been noticeably more crowded this trip than the past four. I've never seen the crowd sizes for MNSSHP like this, though. I wouldn't doubt if tonight is another sell out. It's unbelievable. We might change our trips to mid Jan, similar crowds and cooler weather.

 

[anniemae]

Here's my take on September and crowds. I just got back! (Sept 6 - 13) This was my second Sept. trip. On our first Sept. trip, there was a major hurricane in the Atlantic. The parks were very quiet. Our longest wait was 20 minutes! Last week....not the case! But compared to "peak times" I think we did okay......our wait times varied from 10 to 40 minutes. We were at WDW in Nov. '14. There was the veteran's day holiday, last week of F & W, and the Jersey week myth. We had FPs and got additional ones for the most of the majors. We rode 7DMT and TSMM after 9 at night with 40 min waits. We took advantage of the EMH night parks. It was pretty crowed. So IMHO....here is what I think:

If there is any sort of holiday during the week, the parks are crowded!

If the local schools are out, the parks are crowded.

From Friday thru Monday every week the parks are crowded!

I often wonder with everyone reading Touring plans & all the other crowd calendars.....if everyone follows the suggestions, does that not make the parks more crowded???? We hit Animal Kingdom on Friday, supposed to be the least crowded park and there were people everywhere!

I think next time, I may try January. I don't mind wearing a coat or light jacket compared to 93 degrees and a 105 heat index!

This is what I think. I posted earlier that we were there end of Aug/beg Sept and it was busy. It seems like there was always one REALLY busy park and we always were in it. I think everyone is following sites like easywdw so everyone is going to the same park. We were at HS and it was totally packed, We were like, "THIS was the recommended park?"

 

[TeamSy]

We were there Aug 30-Sep 7 and have never walked on so many rides. The 30th was still a bit crowded, but after that, the longest wait we ever did was 25 minutes. We did A&E one night with a 10 minute wait. Mine Train was the ONLY ride that still had a significant wait. We went on all the other mountains multiple times because the wait was so low. Same with everest.